Tensioned support for flexible members



March 23, 1965 J. M. RlSSER TENSIONED SUPPORT FOR FLEXIBLE MEMBERS FiledNov. 12, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVfA/TM. a? M/mw Fume ATTOR/Vf) March23, 1965 J. M. RlSSER 3,174,721

TENSIONED SUPPORT FOR FLEXIBLE MEMBERS Filed Nov. 12, less 2Sheets-Sheet 2 f N Vf N TOE. J MARL //v 19mm United States PatentTENSIONED SUPPURT FOR FLEXIBLE MEMBERS This invention pertains tosupporting means for flexible members such as chains stretched acrossthe entrances to parking places, flexible sections of fencing or fencewire of ditferent kinds stretched across roadways or driveways, andother forms of flexible means such as clothes lines or the like, all ofwhich usually are supported under tension substantially in horizontalposition. More particularly, the invention also pertains to means fortensioning such flexible members when supported in their operative,horizontal positions.

When it is desired to block the entrance to a parking lot or yard havingan entrance for vehicles, it has been common practice heretofore tostretch a flexible elongated member such as a chain, cable or the likebetween a pair of posts and either hook or lock one end of the flexiblemember to one post, while the opposite end is permanently secured to theopposite post for example. Frequently, these chains are of substantiallength and it is quite difiicult for an owner or attendant at the lot topull a chain or cable reasonably taut across the entrance and secure theconnectable end thereof to the post therefor, at least without undulystraining in doing the same. It is not infrequent that the chains orcables are stretched so loosely that it is possible for a vehicle topass under the chain by holding the loose chain at an elevated position.

In regard to clothes lines, it is not uncommon that when a clothes lineis stretched between two spaced supports for the opposite ends thereof,that while the line is reasonably taut when originally connected betweenthe supporting members, by the time the clothes line is filled withdamp, laundered articles for drying, the weight of the articles thereonis such that auxiliary props sometimes have to be resorted to, holdingthe clothes from touching the ground. In this regard, there also havebeen proposals particularly in regard to clothes line supporting means,to employ a tension spring at one end of the clothes lines to attempt tohold the same taut but usually the strength of such spring is such thatthey are unable to fully compensate for a line full of damp, launderedarticles for purposes or" holding the line substantially straight,whereby none of the laundered articles will be in danger of touching theground while hanging upon the line to dry.

It is the principal purpose of the present invention to provide meanscapable of both supporting and tensioning flexible members such aschains, cables, ropes and the like, such as those used for closingdriveways and the like, supporting laundry, and otherwise, particularlywhere such flexible members are supported at the opposite ends thereofwhile substantially horizontal and preferably in a taut, substantiallystraight condition, said tensioning means preferably being adjustable tovary the tension exerted by spring means incorporated in the mechanismwhereby, the tension required to accomplish this may be madesubstantially equal to the demands.

Another object of the invention is to provide relatively simplesupporting means for one end of the flexible members which are mountedin longitudinally spaced relationship to additional supporting membersfor the op posite ends of said flexible members, said first mentionedsupporting member rotatably supporting a tensioning member preferablycomprising a drum and having tensioning means, preferably comprising acoil spring, which normally tends to rotate the drum in one direction totension the flexible member connected thereto, the mechanism alsoembodying means to increase the tension exerted by the spring inaccordance with the load imposed upon the drum by the flexible memberrendered taut thereby.

A further object of the invention is to provide one embodiment ofmechanism wherein the supporting member comprises a substantiallyvertical post having a tensioning drum rotatably mounted at the upperend thereof, while, in a second embodiment of the invention, thesupporting member may comprise a tube which is fixedly supportedintermediately of its ends and rotatable tensioning drums are mountedadjacent opposite ends of said tube, this last mentioned embodimentespecially being adapted for use with a pair of clothes lines.

A still further object of the invention related to the second mentionedembodiment above also provides single tensioning means commonlytensioning both of the drums but arranged to rotate the same in oppositedirections 'while tensioning flexible members connected at one endrespectively to said drums and wound around said drums in oppositedirections to each other.

Still another object of the invention pertinent to the aforementionedembodiment wherein the supporting member comprises a vertical post is toprovide an elongated connector which is attachable at one end to thepost at a location spaced below the top thereof and the opposite end ofthe connector is placed under tension by the tensioning drum connectedto the upper end of the post.

Still another object of the invention in regard to all embodimentsthereof is to provide means by which the tensioning drums readily may berotated for purposes of increasing the tension imposed thereon by thespring interconnected thereto, and holding means are arranged to to beengaged by the tensioning drums when a predetermined amount of tensionhas been imposed upon the tensioning spring thereby, whereby one end ofan elongated member may be connected to the tensioning drum, followingwhich the holding means is released to permit the tension of the springto be applied fully to the drum to render the flexible member connectedthereto taut.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention,

as well as other objects thereof, are set forth in the followingspecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising apart thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary vertical elevation, partly broken away todisclose additional details and foreshortened vertically to more readilyaccommodate the view to the sheet, said view showing the supporting andtensioning means embodying the invention in operative position to holdtautly two exemplary cables such as used to extend across a vehicleentrance or the like.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary and foreshortened view, broken awayin parts to disclose details of the combined supporting and automatictensioning means illustrated at the left-hand end of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the supporting and tensioning means such asshown at the left-hand end of FIG. 1 and illustrated in non-tensioningposition as seen on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing supporting and tensioningmeans in tensioned position.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of part of the mechanism of FIG. 2as shown on'the line 55 thereof.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view, partly foreshortened, of another embodimentof the invention applied to supporting and tensioning means arranged tosimultaneously tension a pair of elongated flexible members, especiallyadapted for clothes line use.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the embodiment of the invention shown inFIG. 6 and similarly foreshortened.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation, partly foreshortened longitudinally and alsobroken away and somewhat exploded for purposes of illustrating theassembly of the tension ing drums with their tubular supporting membersand spindles, this view being on a larger scale than employed in FIGS.'6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a tensioning spring arranged to beincluded in the assembly otherwise shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view as seen on the line 10'10 of FIG. 6and illustrating exemplary holding means to prevent rotation of one ofthe tensioning drums as when the other is being tensioned.

FIG. 11 is an end view of one of the tensioning drums,

.partly broken away to disclose details thereof, as seen on the line1111 of FIG. 6.

Considering initially the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1through 5, which primarily is adapted for use to stretch flexiblemembers 10, such as cables, chains, ropes or the like across a drivewayentrance 12, it is assumed that vertical means 14 such as a post, wall,or the like, will be arranged for purposes of connecting means such ashooks16 at one end of the flexible members 10 to the vertical means 14.It also is to be understood that, in addition to this embodiment of theinvention being adapted to extend across driveway entrances and thelike, such as associated with parking lots, yards, and the like, it alsomay be employed for farm use or otherwise, especially where it isdesired to interrupt a fence where the same crosses a cartway or cattlepath, whereby the fence may be opened, so to speak, at said cartway orpathway to permit passage through the fence, following which obstructingmeans such as the flexible members 10 may be extended across the cartwayor pathway.

'The embodiment of supporting and automatic tensioning means for theflexible members 10 which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through comprises asupporting member 18 which, preferably, at least at the upper endthereof, is tubular and may be formed from suitable gaugesteel pipe, ;ofthe order of about 3 inches in diam eter or the like. The lower endthereof may be mounted in concrete, for example, to render the mountingstrong and permanent. The member 18 is suitably spaced transversely fromthe vertical means 14 to which the first-mentioned ends. of the flexiblemembers are secured. Aflixed to the supporting member 18, at anappropriate distance below the upper end thereof, is a receptacle 20which is stationary and may comprise simply a short ilengthof suitablesteel tubing welded to one side of the tubular post 18.

Arranged to be associated with the supporting member 'or steel post 18is an elongated connector 22 which may be formed from .suitablesolid rodor pipe, the lower end portion thereof having an offset 24 whichterminates in a lower end 26 which is received within the receptacle 20.The connector 22 has suitable connecting means such as a pair ofeyebolts 28, positioned 'in vertically spaced relationship thereon, andreceiving suitable loops formed in one end .of each of the flexiblemembers 18, such loops being the end link of chains, for example, in theevent chains comprise such flexible members.

Otherwise, the loops may be formed' appropriately in cables, ropes orthe like, if this type of flexible member is used.

The upper end of elongated connector 22 is arranged to be tensionedrelative to the upper end of supporting post 18lby means of a tensioningmember 30 which, in the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, comprisesa drum which is suitably connected to the upper end of a preferablyhollow or tubular spindle 32 which is coaxial with and received withinthe upper portion of the tubular supporting post 18 as is readily seenin FIGS. 1 and 2. Tensioning means are disposed preferably within thetubular supporting post 18 and also 4 partially within the hollowspindle 32, said tensioning means preferably comprising a coiled spring34. The opposite ends of spring 34 preferably have elongated loopstherein, the lower one receiving a securing bolt 36 therethrough as bestshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, said bolt alsoextending through the tubular post18.

The spring 34 preferably is of substantial length, primarily to afford asubstantial amount of tension being generated within the spring throughthe employment of a relatively limited number of revolutions of one end.of the spring relative to the other. Further, the spring preferably isformed from sping wire of substantial gauge, whereby the spring iscapable of generating quite a substantial amount of rotative force whichis imparted to the tensioning member 30 due to the same being suitablyfixed to the upper end of spindle 32 and the upper end of spring 34having an anchoring bolt 38 extending through the elongated loop at theupper end thereof as well as transversely through the upper end ofspindle 32 as best seen from FIG. 2. Rotation of the tensioning drum 30to place spring 34 under tension is elfected by any suitable means, onesimple expedient comprising a short transverse tube 40 which is weldedor otherwise affixed to the upper end of drum 30 and, by inserting asuitable length of steel rod or pipe 42 therethrough and applyingpressure against the outer end thereof, in the proper direction totension spring 34, a considerable amount of force may be built up in thespring even though only a limited number of rotations are imparted todrum 3%.

For purposes of storing the tension in spring 34 after it has beenrotated by drum 30 as indicated above, holding means are employed, onesatisfactory example of which comprises a transverse lug 44 which iswelded or otherwise aflixed to supporting member 18 adjacent the upperend thereof. Drum 30 preferably is formed from a pair of similar steeldiscs which are axially spaced and fixed to a hub 46 by welding or thelike. A series of axially aligned holes 48 are formed in the discs whichcomprise drum 38 as is best seen from FIGS. 3 and 4. The holes 48 arearranged, selectively, to receive removable attaching means comprising apin 50 which simply may be dropped into a selected pair of holes 48 fromthe upper end of drum 30 and an enlargement on the upper end of pin 50holds the same in operative position within the selected pair of holes48 as is clearly evident from FIG. 2;

Relative to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the tensioningmeans for the .upper end of connector 22, in addition to comprising drum30, also includes a relatively short length of coilable, flexible meanssuch as a piece of chain 52, of suitable strength and link size, one endof the chain being connected by a screweye 54 to the upper end ofconnector'22, while the opposite end thereof and especially the endrnostlink is disposed between the flanges of drum 3t and receives the pin 50therethrough as shown in FIGS..1 through 4. The pin 50, as also isevident from'FIGS. 1 and 2, is sufficiently long that, when all of theelements are assembled in operative position as shown in FIG. 1, ratherthan in the extended or exploded manner illustrated in FIG. 2, the lowerend of pin 50 is engageable with the holding lug 44 at one point of eachrevolution of the drum 30. For convenience of operation, the end ofchain 52 opposite that which is engaged by pin 50 also preferably isformed with a hook 56, one example of which is shown in FIG. 2.

In operating the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 5,assuming that the "flexible members 10 are hooked or connected at oneendto the stationary member 14 at one side of the driveway 12, for

example, the elongated connector 22 is moved by an attendant towardsupporting post 18 and the lower end 26 of the connector is disposedwithin receptacle 20. R0- tating member comprising rod or pipe 42 isthen inserted in tube or socket 40 and the drum 36 is rotated in adirection to impart tension to the spring 34. When suitable amount oftension is created in the spring 34, the Operator then inserts pin 50 ina selected pair of holes 48 in drum 30, usually a pair adjacent stop lug44 and incidentally also extending the pin 50 through one of the linksof chain 52, usually the outermost one, whereby when the operatorpermits the tension of spring 34 to rotate the drum 3G by the power ofthe spring, the lower end of pin 50 will engage stop lug 44 and rotationof the drum 39 then will cease. Hook 56 is then connected to eyebolt 54in the upper end of connector 22. In normal operation of the mechanism,there will be relatively little slack in the chain 52 under suchcircumstances. When all of this assembly has been made, the operatorthen again rotates the drum 30 in spring-tensioning direction, at leastsufficiently to pull the pin 50 upwardly sufliciently to disengage thelower end of the pin from the stop lug 44, whereupon the operator thenpermits the spring 34 to exert its tension in a direction to rotate thedrum 30 in tensioning direction to render the chain 52 taut and,correspondingly, also render the flexible members taut and substantiallystraight. It will be understood that the length of the lower flexiblemember 10 will initially be measured carefully as to its length but whenthe upper flexible member 19 is rendered taut by the action of spring34, the lower flexible member lit will be substantially equally taut.

After the flexible members 10 have been secured in stretched and tauttransverse, operative position substantially as shown in FIG. 1, andparticularly if said flexible members are intended to remain in suchcondition, as overnight, or over a weekend for example, as where thedriveway 12 comprises an entrance to a parking lot which is to remainidle during such period of time, disconnection of the connector 22 fromthe supporting post 18 may be prevented by suitable means such as byforming a hole 58 in the lower end of the pin of suflicient size toreceive the bail of a padlock or the like and, for further assurance,the padlock also may be used to extend around the lug 44, whereby thedrum 3!) then can not be rotated relative to supporting post 18. Due tothe fact that the spring 34 is all the while under tension and exerts aforce sufficient to prevent disconnection of hook 56 from eye bolt 54,for example, it will be seen that it will not be possible to remove theflexible members 10 from their stretched, transverse and operativepositions.

The principles of the present invention also equally are applicable toother embodiments of tensioning and supporting means for a plurality ofother types of flexible members such as is illustrated in exemplarymanner in FIGS. 6 through 11. One very useful employment for thisembodiment of the invention is in connection with a pair of clotheslines 6t) which, for example, may be formed from appropriate braided ortwisted rope, metallic reinforced plastic, or relatively light gaugemetallic cable or any other appropriate flexible and readily coilableelongated means which is suitable for use as clothes lines.

In the embodiment shown in the aforementioned fig ures, the clotheslines 60 extend between one stationary support 62 which, preferably, isin the form of a horizontal pipe of suitable size fixed to the upper endof a post 64 which is anchored in the ground and extends vcrtically anappropriate distance. Spaced transversely from the post 64 is a second,similar post 66 which likewise is anchored in the ground and, at theupper end thereof, is provided with a preferably horizontal, tubularsupporting member 68 which, for example, may be appropriate steel pipehaving a diameter of the order of 2 /2 or 3 inches. The length ofsupporting member 68 preferably is, in general, approximately equal tothat of stationary support 62, or possibly a little shorter.

For purposes of illustrating the details of the supporting andtensioning means for the ends of the clothes lines 66 opposite thosewhich are connected to stationary support 62, attention is directedparticularly to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is an extended or exploded view showing a pair of similar hollowspindles 70, the length of which is no greater than half that of thesupporting member 68 and the outer diameters of spindles 70 issufliciently less than the inner diameter of member 68 so that thespindles 70 may freely rotate therein about the axis of supportingmember 68 with which said spindles are coaxial. Disposed within thehollow spindles 70 are tension means comprising a coiled spring 72, theouter ends of which are provided with elongated loops 73. It will beunderstood that the spring 72 extends between the spindles 70. Connectedto the outer ends of each spindle 70 is a tensioning member comprising adrum 74 around which the clothes lines 60 are respectively coiled at oneend.- The drums 74 each have a hub 76 which, for example, is providedwith a bore to receive the outer end of spindle 70, said hub and outerend of each spindle having a transverse hole therethrough for purposesof receiving connecting means comprising a bolt 78, the inner end ofwhich preferably is threaded into the hub 76 of each drum 74. The headof the bolt also is permitted to extend radially outward from thesurface of each drum 74 a limited amount as is exemplified in FIG. 11.The bolts 78 intermediately of the ends thereof, also pass through theelongated loops 73 in the ends of spring 72. Thus, the spring 72, amongits various functions, includes that of preventing separation of thespindles 70 and drums 74 from opposite ends of the supporting member 68.

Fixed to the outer faces of each drum 74 is means to receive a rotatingmember or tool, said means preferably comprising sockets 80 providedwith socket openings of suitable geometric cross-sectional shapes, suchas square, for purposes of receiving a lug 82, of complementary shape,formed on one end of a crank handle 84, or an equivalent to it as shownin FIG. 8. Holding means also are associated with one of the drums 74,one exemplary form of which is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10 andcomprises a boss -86 fixed to the exterior of supporting member 68adjacent one end thereof and having a longitudinally movable stop pin 88carried thereby with a suitable manipulating handle on one end thereof.The opposite end of pin 88 projects axially outward beyond the adjacentend of supporting member 68 and is arranged to-be received within aselected notch formed in the ratchet Wheel 90, the function of whichwill now be described.

When the stop pin 88 is moved axially away from ratchet wheel 90, theassembly comprising spindles 7t), drums 74 thereon, and spring 72contained within the hollow spindle 70, is freely rotatable about theaxis of supporting member 68. Thus, if it is desired to coil the fulllength of the elongated flexible members comprising clothes lines 60upon the hubs 76 of reels 74, one looped end of each of the members 60,specifically comprising clothes lines, may be secured around the head ofthe bolts 7-8 on each drum and then the aforementioned assembly may berotated by means of crank handle 84 for example until the full length ofeach flexible member 60 is coiled upon the drum 74 therefor. Saidflexible members may be retained in this coiled and stored conditionuntil ready for use.

When it is desired to use the clothes lines comprising flexible members60, the outermost ends thereof may be engaged and simultaneously pulledtoward the stationary support 62, said outer ends then being engagedwith books 92 for example and then the opposite ends of the members 60respectively are disconnected from the head ends of the bolts 78. Thedrum 74 which does not have the ratchet wheel 90 connected thereto, thenhas said opposite end of its flexible member 60 connected thereto whenpassing a loop in said end around the head of the bolt 78 of said drum.The entire drum and spindle assembly then is rotated by use of the crankhandle 84 when connected to the opposite drum 74 which has the ratchetwheel connected thereto. Such rotation of said assembly is in adirection to tension the spring 72. The coiling of said opposite end ofsaid one flexible member 60 around 7 the hub 76 of the drum which doesnot have the ratchet wheel thereon soon will place the flexible memberso coiled under substantial tension, whereupon further rotation of saiddrum 74 will substantially cease, even though continued rotation of thedrum 74 which has the ratchet wheel thereon continues for several morerevolutions to place the spring 72 under what is believed to besuflicient tension in the judgment of the operator and in accordancewith experience from using the device. When the spring 72 has been sotensioned, the stop pin 88 then is projected into engagement with one ofthe notches of ratchet wheel 90.

, When the assembly is in the above-described condition, the oppositeend of the second flexible member 60 then is coiled about the hub 76 ofthe drum 74 to which the ratchet wheel 90 is attached but in theopposite direction of coiling from that of said opposite end of thefirst mentioned flexible member about the other drum 74, as indicatedinFIG. 7. Before so coiling said opposite end of the second flexiblemember 60, it preferably should be drawn fairly taut and then saidopposite end should be coiled about the hub 76, which will usuallyamount to only several convolutions if the member has been adequatelymeasured at the time of installing the same, whereupon a loop in saidopposite end then may be extended over a slightly projecting head of thebolt 78 to secure said opposite end of the member 60 thereto. When suchconnection of the opposite end of said second flexible member 60 hasbeen so connected with drum 74 which carries the ratchet wheel 90 andmomentarily has been locked by stop pin 88, the crank handle 84 again isused to slightly move said drum in spring-coiling direction suflicientlyto enable the operative end of stop pin 88 to be withdrawn from thenotch of ratchet wheel 90 within which it has been received whilelocking the drum assembly against rotation and while under substantialtension by spring 72. After such removal of stop pin 88 from the ratchetwheel 90, and particularly while holding the crank handle 84, said crankhandle then ispermitted to slowly move by the operator in tensioningdirection as induced by the power of the spring 72 until the tensionexerted by the opposite ends of said spring respectively on the twoflexible members is equalized. When this situation is achieved, thecrank handle 84 then may be removed from said drum which has the ratchetwheel thereon, if desired, but this is not necessary unless it isdesired to prevent tampering with the tension of the lines byunauthorized persons. a

If, after tension exerted by spring 72 upon both of the drums 74 hasbeen equalized and it is found that the flexible members 60 are notsufliciently taut, the crank handle 84' again may be used to rotate thedrum 74 with the ratchet wheel 90in spring-tensioning direction asuflicient extent that suitable additional tension has been stored intospring 72, whereupon stop pin 88 is projected into a suitable notchwithin the ratchet wheel 90 to momentarily lock the ratchet wheel drum74 against retraction while the second flexible member which ispartially coiled therearound is adjusted, possibly by winding saidattached end around the hub of said drum a limited number of additionalconvolutions, again securing the looped ends over the head of bolt 78,and then releasing the stop pin 88 fromthe ratchet wheel 90 in themanner described above, followed by slowly releasing the ratchet wheeldrum while holding the crank handle 84 until pressure exerted upon thedrums by the oposite ends of spring 72 is equalized and, under thecircumstances described above, has been increased.

To release the drums 74 from the tension of the spring 72, as when it isdesired to restore the flexible member 60 to inoperative condition andentirely coiled around the drums 74, it is only necessary to apply thecrank handle 84 to the ratchet wheel drum 74, rotate the samesufliciently in spring-tensioning direction that the connected end ofthe flexible member 60 on the hub of the ratchet wheel drum 74 may bemanipulated sufficiently to disconnect said end from the head of thebolt 78 thereon, thereby freeing said flexible member from the drum.Next, by again slightly moving the crank handle 84 in springtensioningdirection, the. stop pin 88 is retracted from engagement with ratchetwheel 90. When this has occurred and while holding the crank handle 84firmly, it is slowly revolved in the opposite direction from that fortensioning the spring, so as to permit the spring to spend all of itstension, whereupon the drum, spindle and spring unit than may rotatefreely about the axis of the supporting member 68. By suitablyconnecting the ends of the flexible member 60 to the heads of the bolts78 for coiling of the flexible member in the same direction, said unitmay be rotated by the crank handle 84 to coil the entire length of theflexible members 60 about their respective drums 74, in which positionthey may remain until the next time the clothes line unit is to bedisposed in operative position such as illustrated somewhatdiagrammatically and fragmentarily in FIG. 7.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention providesrelatively simple, rugged and durable mechanism for supporting andtensioning flexible members through the employment of relativelypowerful spring means which function smoothly and are energized easilyto maintain flexible members connected thereto in straight and tautcondition. The mechanism embodying the present invention is suitable forapplication to a number of different types of supporting structures,several embodiments of which have been specifically illustrated in thedrawings and described in the foregoing specification, as well as beingcovered by the appended claims. The same basic principles have beenutilized in said several embodiments to equal advantage. The mechanismcomprising these embodiments is capable of being operated by relativelysimple tension-imparting means without requiring the exertion of unduephysical energy. Assembly and installation of the mechanism comprisingsaid embodiments likewise are relatively simple and easy to achieve.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its severalpreferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is notto be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and describedsince the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scopeof the invention as claimed. 7

I claim:

1. Supporting and automatic tensioning means for flexible elongatedmembers such as cables, chains and ropes supported at opposite ends andheld taut, said means being engageable with one end of such flexiblemember while the other end is supported by fixed means and comprising incombination, a stationary supporting member arranged to be supported inpredetermined spaced relationship to said fixed means, a tensioning drumrotatably supported, by said supporting member for 'movement about asubstantially fixed axis, connecting means on said tensioning drum towhich one end of one of said flexible members is connectabie, tensioningmeans connected to said tensioning drum and operable when placed undertension to rotate said drum in a direction to stretch. a flexible membertaut when connected thereto, means directly engaging said tensioningdrum to rotate it in a direction to place said tensioning means underoperable tension, and holding means releasably engageable by saidtensioning drum to hold it under tension while one end of a flexiblemember is being connected thereto and said drum then being releasablefrom said holding means to permit said tensioning means to move saidtensioning drum in a direction to coil said flexible member connectedthereto at least partially around said tensioning drum and therebyrender said flexible member substantially taut.

2. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 1 furthercharacterized by said tensioning means comprising a coiled springsurrounding the axis of said drum and connected at one end thereto.

3. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 1 furthercharacterized by said supporting member being tubular and having acoaxial spindle rotatable therein, said tensioning drum being connectedto one end of said spindle for support thereby.

4. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 3 furthercharacterized by said spindle being tubular and coaxially within saidsupporting member and said tensioning means comprising a coiled springat least partially contained longitudinally within said tubular spindle.

5. Supporting and automatic tensioning means for flexible elongatedmembers such as cables, chains and ropes supported at opposite ends andheld taut, said means being engageable with one end of such flexiblemember while the other end is supported by fixed means and comprising incombination, a supporting member comprising a vertical post arranged tobe supported in the ground or the like in predetermined spacedrelationship to said fixed means, a tensioning drum supported at theupper end of said supporting member for rotation about the axis of saidpost, connecting means on said tensioning drum to which one end of oneof said flexible members is connectable, tensioning means connected tosaid tensioning drum and operable to rotate it in a direction to tensiona flexible member when connected thereto, means to rotate said drum toplace said tensioning means and drum under tension in one direction, andholding means releasably engageable by said tensioning drum to maintainit under tension while one end of a flexible member is being connectedthereto and then being releasable from said holding means to permit saidtensioning means to move said tensioning drum in a direction to render aflexible member connected thereto substantially taut.

6. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 5 furthercharacterized by said holding means comprising a stop member on saidpost, said drum also having projecting means engageable with said stopmember to hold said drum stationary and under tension to permit saidinterconnecting of one end of a flexible member thereto for tens-ionedsupport by said drum.

7. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 6 furthercharacterized by said projecting means on said drum comprising a pinextending from one face thereof and said stop member comprising a lugprojecting from said post adjacent said drum, said pin alsointerconnecting one end of a flexible member to said drum.

8. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 7 furthercharacterized by said pin having means thereon to receive a padlock topermit locking said drum against movement in a direction to release thetension of said drum and thereby prevent detachment of said one end ofsaid flexible member from said drum.

9. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 6 furtherincluding a spindle rotatably supported within at least the upper end ofsaid post and coaxial therewith, said drum being fixed to the upper endof said spindle and said tensioning means comprising a spring connectedto said spindle and operable to rotate the same and said drum in onedirection to tension a flexible member when connected at one end to saiddrum.

10. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 9 furthercharacterized by said spindle being hollow and said spring being coiledand at least partially contained co-axially within said spindle and theinner end of said spring being fastened to said spindle.

11. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 5 furtherincluding an elongated connector to which one end of each of a pluralityof flexible members is connectable for tensioning thereby, said posthaving a receptacle spaced below the top of the post and arranged to ladreceive the lower end of said elongated connector and said tensioningdrum interengaging the upper end portion of said elongated connector topull the same toward said post to tension the flexible members connectedthereto.

12. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 11 furtherincluding a short coilable member connected at one end to saidtensioning drum and coilable therearound and the opposite end thereofbeing releasably connectable to said upper end portion of said elongatedconnector to place the same under tension.

13. Supporting and automatic tensioning means for a plurality offlexible elongated members such as cables, chains and ropes supported atopposite ends and held taut, said means being engageable with one end ofeach of a plurality of such flexible members while the other ends aresupported by fixed means and comprising in combination, a supportingmember supported fixedly intermediately of its ends in predeterminedfixed spaced relationship to said fixed means, tensioning drumsrespectively supported rotatably by the opposite ends of said supportingmember for movement about the axis thereof, connecting means on saidtensicning drums to which one end of one of said flexible membersrespectively are connectable, tensioning means extending between andconnected to said tensioning drums and operable to rotate the same inopposite rotary directions to tension said flexible members whenconnected respectively thereto, and holding means releasably engageablewith one of said tensioning drums to maintain it under tension while aflexible member is being connected thereto and then being releasablefrom said holding means to permit said tensioning means to move saidtension-ing drums respectively in opposite rotary directions to renderboth of said flexible members connected to said tensioning drumssubstantially taut.

14. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 13 furtherincluding spindles fixed to said tensioning drums and respectivelyextended into said tube from the opposite ends thereof and saidtensioning means comprising a coiled spring extending between saidspindles and the opposite ends of said spring interengaging saidtensioning drums to rotate the same as aforesaid.

15. The supporting and tension-ing means set forth in claim 14 furthercharacterized by said spindles being tubular and the opposite ends ofsaid spring extending respectively thereinto.

16. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 15 furthercharacterized by said tensioning drums including pin means extendingthrough said drums and tubular spindles to secure the same againstrelative rota t-ion, said pin means also respectively interconnectingthe opposite ends of said springs to said drums.

17. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 14 furthercharacterized by said holding means being engageable with only one ofsaid tensioning drums and operable to permit winding the othertensioning drum to tension the spring and permit connecting a flexiblemember thereto.

References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,572,732 2/26McCammack 254-163 1,635,416 7/27 Howard 254-161 2,865,514 12/58 Goodman242-1076 X 2,872,047 2/59 Ostlund 211-11915 2,989,267 6/61 Mehl211-119.15 X

WELLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner.

1. SUPPORTING AND AUTOMATIC TENSIONING MEANS FOR FLEXIBLE ELONGATEDMEMBERS SUCH AS CABLES, CHAINS AND ROPES SUPPORTED AT OPPOSITE ENDS ANDHELD TAUT, SAID MEANS BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE END OF SUCH FLEXIBLEMEMBER WHILE THE OTHER END IS SUPPORTED BY FIXED MEANS AND COMPRISING INCOMBINATION, A STATIONARY SUPPORTING MEMBER ARRANGED TO BE SUPPORTED INPREDETERMINED SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID FIXED MEANS, A TENSIONING DRUMROTATABLY SUPPORTED BY SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT ASUBSTANTIALLY FIXED AXIS, CONNECTING MEANS ON SAID TENSIONING DRUM TOWHICH ONE END OF ONE OF SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBERS IS CONNECTABLE, TENSIONINGMEANS CONNECTED TO SAID TENSIONING DRUM AND OPERABLE WHEN PLACED UNDERTENSION TO ROTATE SAID DRUM IN A DIRECTION TO STRETCH A FLEXIBLE MEMBERTAUT WHEN CONNECTED THERETO, MEANS DIRECTLY ENGAGING SAID TENSIONINGDRUM TO ROTATE IT IN A DIRECTION TO PLACE IN TENSIONING MEANS UNDEROPERABLE TENSION, AND HOLDING MEANS RELEASABLY ENGAGEABLE BY SAIDTENSION-